MAY BIRTHDAYS
    3rd      Michael D'Agosta
               Greg Castagnoli
    10th     Betty Verhoeven
    16th     Brandon Smith
    19th     Rob Verhoeven
    27th     Leah D'Agosta
                David Gerlinger
    28th     Brett Nevoli
                Kurt Roessler
 

Condolences
Our condolences to Dee Castagnoli and her family on the recent loss of her mother.  Dee sent the following:
"As many of you have heard, my mom passed away on Saturday morning.  We had gone on our 'Great Adventure' - a train trip to Washington D.C. and Virginia with Greg and his mom to visit their relatives one last time.  Mom had a great time on the train, but it was a very tiring trip, and when her lungs filled up due to Congestive Heart Failure, she just didn't have the strength to fight back this time.  Since many of you had met her over the years, I'd like to invite you to her Memorial service.  It will be on May 22, to give time for the cremation, and for John to be home from Colorado.  It's at 1:00 at Evergreen Valley Church - 2750 Yerba Buena Road.  Thank you for your cards, prayers,  flowers and offers of help.  They have really meant a lot.          I love you all            Dee"
 
 

I had the meanest mother in the world.

While other kids ate candy for breakfast, I had to have cereal, eggs or toast. When others had Cokes and candy for lunch, I had to eat a sandwich. As you guessed, my supper was different from the other kids too.

But at least I wasn't alone in my sufferings. My sisters and four brothers had the same mean mother as I did.

My mother insisted upon knowing where we were at all times. You'd think we were on a chain gang. She had to know who our friends were and what we were doing. She insisted if we said we'd be gone one hour that we'd be gone "one" hour or less, not one hour and one minute.

I am nearly ashamed to admit it, but she actually struck us. Not once, but each time we did as we pleased. Can you imagine someone actually hitting a child just because he disobeyed?  Now you can begin to see how mean she really was.

The worst is yet to come. We had to be in bed by nine each night and up early the next morning.  We couldn't sleep 'til noon like our friends. So while they slept my mother actually had the nerve to break the child labor law. SHE MADE US WORK! We had to wash dishes, make beds, learn to cook and all sorts of cruel things. I believe she laid awake at night thinking up mean things to do to us.

She always insisted upon our telling the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, even if it killed us, and it nearly did.

By the time we were teenagers, she was much wiser, and our life became even more unbearable.  None of this tooting the horn of a car for us to come running. She embarrassed us to no end by making our dates and friends come to the door to get us.

I forgot to mention, while my friends were dating at the mature age of 13 and 14, my old-fashioned mother refused to let me date until the age of 16 and 17. Sixteen that is, if you date only to go to school functions.  And that was maybe twice a year.

My mother was a complete failure as a mother. None of us has ever been arrested, divorced or beaten by his/her mate.  Each of my brothers served his time in the service of his country. And, who do we have to blame for the terrible way we turned out?  You're right, our mean mother.

Look at all the things we missed. We never got to march in a protest parade, not to take part in a riot, burn draft cards and a million and one things that our friends did.

She forced us to grow up into God-fearing, educated, honest adults. Using this as a background, I am trying to raise my two children.

I stand a little taller and I am filled with pride when my children call me "mean," because, you see, thank God, He gave me "The meanest mother in the whole world."
 
 

Solvang  Info
There are 10 members signed up for the Solvang adventure. The hotel is the Danish Country Inn, 1455 Mission Dr, 805-688-2018. There are still 2 spots open so please call Vicki ASAP if you would like to join the group. We will be gathering at Vicki's house around 9, please call her if you need to be picked up.  Vicki and Shirley will drive. Shirley will be stopping in SLO for a couple hours on the way down and leaving early on Sun. so we may need another driver as well.
(Editor's Note:  Cathie is planning on driving too, so we have a third driver.)
 
 

At the initial planning meeting here, several people expressed an interest in another cruise. One possibility is the Texaribbean cruise on NCL, out of Houston. The ports include Cancun, Cozumel and Roatan, Honduras. Kathy Roessler and I have seen the cruise advertised at greatly discounted prices, but that may be for undesirable times. We could probably get a group discount. Anyway, call Shirley if you think you may be interested and then I will call the cruise line for some discounts, prices, etc.  The timing that people seemed interested in was next April, Easter vacation. Most of the teachers have off the week after, so starting about the ?, or so. (Editor's Note:  According to a web search, Easter 2000 will fall on April 23.  Most "school people" will therefore get Good Friday, April 21, off and the following week.)  This would be an adult cruise, however. It sounds like a lot of fun, so let me know who is interested.

I called today, and the big deal is to make reservations early enough to get the early-booking discounts. Sounds like at least 6 months ahead, and it looks like almost 50%. There is also a 10% discount if we get 8 cabins reserved. So, that puts the prices from $860/person to $1240/person for the staterooms, including port charges. Right now the air fare/transfer pkg. is $299 per person
from San Jose. I didn't check on prices for the suites. Ship sails on Sundays.

So, people should talk to me if they are interested and I will do more investigation.  If they want a brochure or more info, call NCL at 1-800-327-7030, or www.ncl.com
 
 

Shirley and Lou will be celebrating 25 years of "wedded bliss" on May 11th.  Congratulations!
 
 

    On Saturday, June 5th, Sally is having an old-fashioned high school type slumber party for her 50th birthday.  Bring a substantial hors d'oevre or snack for dinner, we will have make-it-yourself sundaes later, and a catered breakfast.  Festivities include arts and crafts and a white elephant exchange.  Sally will provide wine and sodas (now we can drink wine "legally" at a slumber party since we are over 21).  Sally is inviting some other family and friends and all Las Madres members are invited.  More details as it gets closer.
 
 

LOS PADRES' GOLF
    Scheduled for June 4-6.  Friday and Saturday nights at house at Forest Meadows.  Golf Friday in Manteca.  Golf Saturday AM at Greenhorn Creek and Saturday PM at Forest Meadows.  Golf Sunday AM at Forest Meadows.  Call Mike Ballard for details, cost, and to reserve your spot.  First 8 dads to RSVP will go!
 
 

    The Castagnolis will be having a Couples Garden Party to celebrate Greg's 50th Birthday!  It will be outside on their patio, starting around 7:30 PM.  Details will be in the June newsletter, but you can RSVP now to Dee if you know your summer plans.
 
 

Roster Update

Everyone should have received an e-mail roster that included items that need updated information.  Some of the information is slow in forthcoming.  Hopefully will have final updates finished soon and will make a printed copy of the new roster for everyone.  In the meantime your e-mail copy has the most current information on everyone.
 
 

CLUB OFFICERS
President - Shirley D'Agosta
Newsletter - Ginny Gomez
Treasurer - Vicki Rasmussen
Historian - Randi Heinrichsen